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NavSource Online: Identified Number Vessel Photo Archive

USAHS Charles A. Staffordex-USAT Siboneyex-USS Siboney (ID 2999)

Navy call sign:George - Tare - Watch - Have

Civilian call sign (1919):Love - Jig - Vice - King

Siboney served both the U. S. Navy and Army.

Transport:

The first Siboney was laid down in 1916 as Oriente by William Cramp and Son, Philadelphia, PA

Launched 15 August 1917

Renamed Siboney 28 February 1918

Acquired by the Navy and commissioned USS Siboney (ID 2999), 8 April 1918

Decommissioned 10 September 1919 at Hoboken, NJ and returned to her owner, the New York and Cuba Mail Steamship Co.

Acquired by the U.S. Army in June 1941 and commissioned USAT Siboney

Converted to a U.S. Army Hospital Ship in 1944 and renamed USAHS Charles A. Stafford

Transferred to the Maritime Commission in 1948 and laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet

Sold for scrap 22 January 1957 to the Bethlehem Steel Corp.

Specifications:

Displacement 11,298 t.

Length 443' 3"

Beam 60'

Draft 24' 6"

Speed 17.5 kts.

Complement 346

Armament: Two 1-pounders and two machine guns

Propulsion: Two 4,250ihp steam engines, two shaft.

Click on thumbnailfor full size image

Size

Image Description

Source

USS Siboney (ID 2999)

71k

Photographed by Machinist John G. Krieger, USN, in May 1918.Donation of John G. Krieger, 1967.U.S. Navy photos NH 43469 and NH 43470

Naval Historical Center

90k

105k

Photographed in 1919, while engaged in returning troops to the United States from France. The card's reverse bears the hand-written inscription: "the ship that brought us HOME"Donation of Charles R. Haberlein Jr., 2008Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 64932

In New York Harbor, with her decks crowded with troops returning home from France, circa late 1918 or 1919.Photographed by E. Muller Jr., New York.Collection of Captain Clarence S. Williams, USN. Donated by Mrs. Clarence S. Williams, 1975.U.S. Navy photo NH 103238

Letterpress reproduction of an artwork by Musician Loren C. Holmberg, USN, printed on page 5 of "Historical Souvenir of the U.S.S. Siboney", published by the ship's crew in 1919 as a momento of her service.Collection of Captain Clarence S. Williams, USN. Donated by Mrs. Clarence S. Williams, 1975.U.S. Navy photo NH 103262-KN

Naval Historical Center

111k

Photographed in 1919, while engaged in returning troops to the United States from France.Donation of Charles R. Haberlein Jr., 2008Naval Historical Center photo NH 105529

Robert Hurst

118k

A halftone reproduction of a photograph showing the ship painted in "dazzle" camouflage in 1918-1919Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2008Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 105888

Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken while the ship was in port, circa 1942-1943. Reboilered, with her original two smokestacks replaced by a single unit.Copied from the book "Troopships of World War II", by Roland W. Charles.U.S. Navy photo NH 103243

Naval Historical Center

USAHS Charles A. Stafford

235k

Photo courtesy of 1st Lt. Orpha Mae Riggle (Blood), U.S. Army Nurse Corps, who served in Charles A. Stafford between September 1944 - October 1945

Orpha Mae Riggle (Blood)

115k

Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken circa 1944-1946.Copied from the book "Troopships of World War II", by Roland W. Charles.U.S. Navy photo NH 103261

Naval Historical Center

118k

Passing out Coca-Cola to wounded servicemen in one of the wards below decksFrom "Hospital Ships of World War II: An Illustrated Reference" by Emory A. Massman

Robert Hurst

Commanding Officers

01

CDR Andrew T. Graham, USN - USNA Class of 1897Awarded the Navy Cross (1918) and a Letter of Commendation from the Secretary of War - Retired as Captain